The National Portrait Gallery has acquired one of Charli XCX‘s portraits for its permanent collection.
This acquisition marks another milestone in her successful year, as her latest album, Music, Fashion, Film, is on track to debut at No. 1 in the U.K.
The gallery selected British photographer Harley Weir’s 2024 portrait of the pop star, depicting her leaning against a wall in a white crop top and unbuttoned black jeans (via BBC).
Though her makeup is subtle, she rocks a bold eye look with a voluminous and wild hairdo, oozing the rebellious energy of her Brat era.
The portrait, acquired with support from the Bukhman Foundation, will debut in the gallery’s History Makers Now display. The National Portrait Gallery praised Charli as “one of the defining artists of our time.”
Senior curator Brandei Estes applauded the photographer’s work and said, “We are delighted to acquire this striking portrait of Charli XCX, which captures one of the defining cultural figures of her generation.”
Charli is experiencing another significant career moment following the release of her eighth studio album on July 24 through Atlantic Records.
The album could become her fourth overall No. 1 and her second this year, following Wuthering Heights, which reached the top spot in February.
The 30-minute, 11-track album has received strong reviews so far. Over the weekend, Charli surprised fans by releasing three bonus B-sides on iTunes, despite previously stating they would not be available on streaming platforms.
Prior to the album’s release, fans anticipated a rock sound after she teased lyrics from the lead single, “Rock Music.” However, she promptly addressed these expectations, maintaining transparency with her audience.
“Obviously, I know that there’s been a lot of conversation around me making a rock album, which is something that I never said,” she told Rolling Stone. “I’ve never thought about genre in a binary way. I don’t even know what the genre is. It’s just me and A. G. Cook and Finn Keane, doing our thing.”
The album’s cover also fueled conversation before its release because Charli chose an eclectic trio, true to the record’s title. It included musician and composer John Cale, fashion designer Marc Jacobs and legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese.